Bathtub



RPMUELLER BATHTUB March 16,1937.

' Filed Dec. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 16, 1937. R. MUELLEIBATHTUB Filed Dec. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 ,111,111,'fIII/II/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII a Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITED- STATESPArEa a 6 Claims.

The present invention relatesto bath tubs and particularly to those ofthe apron type.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a tub having asunken or depressed portion in its bottom forming a mat receivingrecessso constructed as to permit the drainage of water from the recesses whenthe tub is emptied.

A further object is the formation of foot receiving openings in thelower portion of the apron to permit the user to stand closer to the tubproper when either'manipulating the faucets or bathing a child seated inthe tub.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will now bemore particularly described, reference being had to the drawings inwhich: 7

Figure 1 is atop planview of a tub illustrating one embodiment of themat receiving recess.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 isa top plan view of a tub illustrating a modified form of matreceiving recess.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a tub illustrating afurther embodiment of the mat receiving recess.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a tub showing a pairof foot receivingopenings.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a pair of footreceiving openings provided with interior wall elements forming blindpockets.

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a foot opening with apivoted cover plate partly raised, and

Figure 11 is a view showing a modified form of cover plate.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there isdisclosed the preferred form of the invention wherein the numeral l0designates the tub proper, which may be of any desired material, theform of tub here shown being the usual metal enameled tub characterizedby the usual side and end walls II and [2 respectively and the outerapron l3.

The walls of the tub extend downwardly to the bottom I 4, to which theyare joined by the curved sections [5, said sections forming an inwardlyturned substantially horizontal rim extending completely around the tub.

55 The tub bottom I4 is sunken or depressed preferably from the edges ofthe bottom sections [5 to form a mat receiving. recess l6, within whicha non-slip mat I1 is adapted to be retained. This mat may be formed ofany anti-slip material such as rubber, rubber composition, or abrasive 5containing composition.

As shown, the recess 46 is bounded on three sides by an end wall i8 andopposed side walls 19. The other end of the recess adjacent the waste ordrain outlet 29 of the tub is open to permit water to drain from therecess when the tubis emptied. In this preferred form of the inventionthe bottom surface of the recess is substantially flush and merges withthe bottom of the tub at the drainage end thereof. The marginal sectionsl5 slope downwardly as at 2|, to also merge with the drainage end of thebottom. In order to prevent the mat I! from slipping longitudinally. ofthe recess, in the direction of the drain outlet, I have provided spacedabutments 22' rounded. at 20 their inner ends as at 23 and slopingdownwardly at their outer ends to the level of the tub bottom. With thisarrangement the mat is retained in the recess, but the water ispermitted to readily pass from the recess to the drain outlet. 2

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 there is illustrated a modified form of matreceiving recess. In these views the bottom M of the tub I0 is providedwith a recess 24 the base 25 of which slopes gradually toward thedrainage end of the tub and merges with the bottom M at the point 26.This form will also position the mat in the bottom and readily permitthe water to drain from the recess and tub.

In Figure 6 is disclosed a mat receiving recess 21 similar in formationto that shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with the abutments eliminated.These may be supplied in this form if desired as well as in that shownin Figures 4 and 5. The mat, however, may be used without any abutmentsalthough it may slip toward the drain pipe 2|) if pressure is applied inthat direction.

It will be observed that the outer wall or apron I3 of the tub standssubstantially vertical, and since there is an appreciable distancebetween the inner and outer walls of the tub, one leaning over and usingthe tub must necessarily stand back a considerable distance in a ratherawkward position. To overcome this difficulty I have formed a pair ofspaced openings 28 in the lower portion of the apron so that a personstanding by the tub is enabled to stand closer, by reason of the toes ofthe feet projecting through the openings.

In one embodiment, shown in Figures 8 and 9,

I prefer to secure to the inner face of the apron,

pocket elements 29. These elements are adapted to entirely encompass thecontour of the openings and form therewith blind foot receiving pockets.With this arrangement any dust accumulating in these pockets may beeasily swept out.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 7, and 10, I have eliminated thepocket elements 29 and have provided cover plates 30 pivoted to thelower end of the apron to swing into and out of a position to entirelyclose the openings 28. Each cover plate is formed adjacent its lowerextremity with an extension 3|, and a suitable bolt or other fasteningmeans 32 pivotally connects the cover plate to the apron. Preferably aknob or handle 33 projects outwardly from the face of the cover plate sothat the latter may be easily grasped and moved from one position to theother.

In Figure 11 I have shown a further arrangement for closing the openings28. In this connection I have provided sliding cover plates 34 of rightangular formation. Each plate comprises a horizontal floor engagingflange 35 and a vertical apron engaging portion 36. By grasping thehandle 31 each of these cover plates may be slid with respect to thelower portion of the apron to conceal or expose its respective opening28. While no means have been disclosed, it is to be understood thateither the flange 35 or the portion 36 may be positively connected tothe floor or apron in such a manner as to permit the cover plate toslide with respect to the apron.

In Figures 1 and 3 there is disclosed an opening 38 in the flathorizontal portion of the tub between the apron and side wall of the tubproper. This constitutes a hand hold and is adapted to be used inconjunction with the usual hand hold mounted in the wall of the room(not shown).

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a bath tubhaving a bottom recess constructed to receive and retain a removablenon-slip mat and which will permit water to entirely drain from the tub.Furthermore, by

providing the openings in the lower portion of the apron one is enabledto stand much closer to the tub than in the usual apron type of tubconstruction.

Such variations from the construction herein shown and described as arewithin the skill of a mechanic may, of course, be made without departingfrom the range of my invention.

I claim:

1. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess having a portion thereof merging with the surface of the bottomto permit drainage of water from the recess.

2. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess being open adjacent the drainage end of the tub to permitdrainage of water from the recess.

3. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess having a portion thereof merging with the surface of the bottomto permit drainage of water from the recess, and an abutment located atthe point where the recess merges with the surface of the bottom andadapted to prevent slippage of the mat from the recess.

4. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess being open adjacent the drainage end of the tub to permitdrainage of water from the recess, and an abutment located at the openend of the recess to prevent slippage of the mat from the recess.

5. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess sloping gradually toward the drainage end of the tub to permitdrainage of water from the recess.

6. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, saidrecess being inclined longitudinally of the tub with one end thereofmerging with the surface of the bottom to permit drainage of water fromthe recess.

ROBERT MUELLER.

